A.

__Jim Casy__


 * Initials:** The initials of his name are J.C., the same as Jesus Christ. Throughout the entire story, Casy is a figure of Christ. He used to be a preacher in the Joad's small hometown, and is constantly giving his advice to those around him who are in need. Casy was always there for his people, just as Christ had sacrificed himself for his people. When the poor farmers had nothing else left that they could hold onto, they knew that they could count on him.
 * Time in the Wilderness:** Although he doesn't go into deep elaboration on his time in the wilderness, it is evident that it was similar to Christ's time of reflection and meditation in the garden. While Tom Joad was in jail, he spend a lot of time in the wilderness focusing on his life and remembering who he was and what be believed in. Both men came out of their time of isolation with new views on life.
 * His Feelings for the People:** Jim Casy felt very protective of his people. He was a natural leader, just as Christ was. Casy felt that is was his duty to share his knowledge and his experience with the people around him, which is a main reason why he became a preacher. Casy was involved in a strike with the labor union, fighting for better rights for not only himself, but his people as well. His courage and bravery also showed when he sacrificed himself for the good of his people. He was killed by an authority officer. Tom Joad knew how much Casy had given up, and he felt the need to avenge his life. Tom killed the authority figure who killed Casy, becoming a fugitive once again.
 * Maturity as a Philosopher:** He looked back on his experiences throughout his life with very little regret, and wanted to make a fresh start. Casy had dug himself a very deep hole in his past, and believed that he could truly help these people.

This quote illustrates a time when Jim Casy's true wisdom shines through in a nneighbor's time of need. Uncle John was questioning his decision to not help his wife when she was in pain. She asked him to get a doctor, and he dismissed her request, claiming that she had eaten too much and became sick. She passed on the next morning. He still had regrets, and believed that he had killed his own wife. Casy was there to reassure Uncle John that it wasn't his fault that his wife died. Throughout his life, Casy had experienced many events that shaped his philosophy on life. He feels that sin is something that shouldn't be dwelled on, and if one doesn't believe that they have sinned, then they have not sinned.
 * "I know this-a man got to do what he got to do...nobody got a right to mess with a fella's life." (224)**

One main objective of Jim Casy's was to bring some sort of a religious influence to the small town. People had been so focused on trying to provide for themselves, that they had almost lost sight of what was important. When the people had absolutely nothing else left, they would turn to God in their time of need.
 * Maybe I can preach again. Folks out lonely on ... the road, folks with home to go to. They got to have some kind of home." (108)**

John Steinbeck portrayed Jim Casy as a figure of Christ because his novel is a story of sacrifice. Jim Casy made the ultimate sacrifice when he was killed for his people, just as Christ did when he was cruficied. His use of a Christ-like figure in the story was also to enhance the setting of the story. People of that time period in that area of the United States, held on to Christ very tightly because they knew that he would always be there, even when they had nothing else left. Jim Casy was there when the people had nothing else left. There was so much struggle throughout the story and the main characters of the story were so opressed by authority and the rich landowners, that John Steinbeck wanted to add a small glimmer of hope and brightness through that character.